Telephone scheduling system

Abstract

A system is disclosed for use in cooperation with a telephone network to schedule and control telephonic contacts, as from a plurality of calling stations to a number of parties at individual remote stations. Storage means are provided for registering code words (associated with stations that are to be called) along with representations of message information to be conveyed. For example, code words may store representations of: a number for a station to be called, the name of a party to be contacted at the station, a status code and so on. In the operation of the system, a control unit actuates an automatic dialing unit with a number from storage. Subsequently, the system senses the possible results of dialing a number, i.e. as a busy signal, no answer or a station contact. In the event of a busy signal or no answer, a code word (from storage) may be appropriately modified then stored for use in a subsequent attempt. Upon the occurrence of a contact, connection is made to an operator station and a display unit is actuated to cue the operator with the desired message. The system also incorporates input means for use by the operator to enter information in the code word indicating the results of a call.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A telephone scheduling system for use in cooperation with a telephone network, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of data cells including data on individual telephone numbers identifying stations to be contacted along with representations of message information;   at least one operating station including a telephone instrument, cue manifesting means, register means for receiving signals from said storage means representative of said data cells, and means for supplying data cell signals representative of message information from said register means to said cue manifesting means;   an automatic dialing means coupled to said telephone network and connected to receive data cell signals representative of telephone numbers from said operating station register means, for dialing said stations to be contacted;   sensing means coupled to said telephone network for providing an answer signal to indicate contact with one of said stations to be contacted and an interrupt signal to indicate termination of telephonic contact; and   sequence control means for sequentially providing signals representative of said data cells from said storage means to said operating station register means, returning said data cells to said storage means, and actuating said automatic dialing means, said telephonic instrument, and said cue manifesting means, under control of said sensing means.   
     
     
       2. A telephone scheduling system in accordance with claim 1 further including automatic input means for registering data in said register means of said operating station indicative of results from said sensing means. 
     
     
       3. A telephone scheduling system in accordance with claim 1 further including manual input means for registering data in said register means of said operating station indicative of data communicated to an operator at said operating station. 
     
     
       4. A telephone scheduling system in accordance with claim 1 including a plurality of said operating stations and further including telephone multiplexer means for selectively coupling said operating stations to said automatic dialing means and said telephone network under control of said sequence control means. 
     
     
       5. A telephone scheduling system according to claim 4 further including automatic input means for registering data in said register means indicative of results from actuating said automatic dialing unit. 
     
     
       6. A telephone scheduling system according to claim 4 further including manual input means for registering data in said register means indicative of data communicated to an operator at said operating station. 
     
     
       7. A telephone scheduling system according to claim 4 further including input means for altering said data cells in said operating stations to indicate call results. 
     
     
       8. A telephone system according to claim 7 including means to alter said data cells to indicate times of calls.